Research
A strong focus for the Faculty's research is Knowledge, Learning and Curriculum. Here there is a strong record of research on core knowledge (mathematics education, literacy and communication, information technology), special education (special needs learners: e.g. deaf students and learners with autism) and post-compulsory education and training (PCET) (vocational education, professional education and higher education). As well, some research is focused on cross-curricular knowledge, learning and change. Faculty researchers have advanced understanding in these subject areas about what constitutes knowledge and legitimated ways of knowing, how knowledge can be assessed, and how to improve acquisition of important knowledge through curriculum.
A second strong focus is on Educational and Communication Responses to Social Change. Here there is a strong record of research on critical social problems such as sustainability, uses of technology, managing change, ethical decision-making, social conflict and tolerance. Main themes include: Developing Educational Responses to Social Problems (Technology & Education, Postcompulsory Education and Leadership) and Developing Arts Responses to social Problems (Language, Applied Linguistics and Applied Theatre). The Faculty has brought these and other areas of research strength together into four main research programs and a further five areas of allied research strength. These are:
Research programs
- Learning, Learners & Knowledge
- Pedagogy, Teaching & Curriculum;
- Social Transformations, Ethics and Social Justice
- Work and Vocational Education
Allied research strengths
- Applied Theatre
- Educational Leadership and Policy
- Language and Communication
- Mathematics Education
- Special Education and Inclusion
The Faculty seeks to use its research strengths to address local, national and international challenges through researching core ways in which education can be used effectively (such as in changes to learning and teaching practices and policies and in curriculum) and through impacting various sectors of education (such as Vocational, Technology, Special, Higher, and School sectors; workplace learning; adult and lifelong learning; and inclusive education and equity). The Faculty also seeks to apply its research strengths directly to social problems, for instance in using applied theatre to address conflict and marginalisation; applied linguistics in improving literacies and communication; and technology education to advance education for sustainability.